Pa Reuben Fasoranti has acknowledged that Ayo Adebanjo was the leader of the Yoruba Socio/Cultural group Afenifere.
This was after he was widely quoted by the media as saying that he was still the leader of the group since he never resigned or retired. This was based on an interview he granted Impact TV Africa. On Sunday he endorsed the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu against the background of an earlier endorsement of Peter Obi by Chief Adebanjo.
But speaking through a media aide Adedapo Abiola Thursday Pa Fasonranti said he was misquoted by the media.
“It has come to Papa Reuben Fasonranti’s knowledge that some sections of the media, especially the social media, have been ascribing to him false statements designed to cause confusion and polarise Afenifere.
“I have Papa’s permission to say that he has not said Chief Ayo Adebanjo is no longer the acting leader of Afenifere nor that all future Afenifere meetings should henceforth be held at his residence in Akure.
“Papa’s main concern is the interest of the Yoruba in the complex political situation in Nigeria. It is also his concern that Afenifere should survive in dignity and remain a purveyor of the interest of the Yoruba race.”
Chief Adebajo reiterated that Obi remains its choice for President of Nigeria.
“Afenifere has taken a stance to support Obi. Any other splinter or rebel group…I’m not going into any controversy about that. I regard that as a diversion. What we are going to do now is see that we succeed at the election.”
